Hi, I’m Aaron — a dad, musician, and education major working hard to rebuild my life after several difficult years of health and financial setbacks. I’m finally receiving treatment for severe sleep apnea, and I’m committed to finishing my teaching degree and supporting my kids, but I’ve fallen behind and could use some help to stay stable.

The past few years have been overwhelming. In early 2020, my son was hospitalized with DKA and diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Soon after, the pandemic hit. I was living with an ICU nurse at the time and heard daily what she was facing in the hospital — it was traumatic for everyone.

A few months later, I experienced a cervical artery dissection that caused a mini-stroke. Thankfully I recovered, but it slowed me down during a time when work opportunities were disappearing. I also lost my studio job, which was deeply important to me. And although my separation was back in 2015, the emotional and financial impact of that period has lingered and added to the challenges of the past several years. Altogether, it felt like life kept piling on faster than I could regain stability.

Since then, I’ve been doing everything I can to rebuild. I returned to school and am now three-quarters of the way through a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and working toward my teaching license. Teaching is something I care deeply about, and it will give me the stability I need for my kids — and the ability to keep making music, which has been part of my life for over 30 years.

Recently, I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. For years I’ve felt exhausted, unfocused, and unable to keep up. Getting a CPAP machine has already started to change that, but the long diagnostic process and months of untreated symptoms made it hard to work consistently, and I fell behind again on bills and school-related expenses.

I don’t like asking for help, but the stress has been affecting my health, my studies, and my ability to be present for my kids. I’m trying to break that cycle and move forward.

If you’re able to help, here’s where the support will go:

• Essential bills and living expenses

• Medical and sleep-apnea-related costs

• Support while finishing school + managing student loan payments

• Outstanding legal costs from my custody process

• Giving my kids a decent Christmas during a tight season

Thank you for reading, and for any support — even sharing — that helps me get through this last stretch and finally stand on solid ground again.